chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 7th
mid-division, mistake 3rd, soon ridden, weakened next
held up in touch, driven 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened after 2 out
mid-division, headway 9th, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out
always prominent, led 3 out, strongly challenged next, headed last, rallied under pressure, kept on well
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge
mid-division, lost place before 4 out
held up in touch, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance 2 out, led last, hard ridden, stayed on well
led until 9th, soon pushed along, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, weakened 7th
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, effort next, soon one pace
prominent, led 9th, headed 3 out, soon rallied, weakened after next
pulled hard in rear, struggling 8th, behind when pulled up 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Cheekpieces have worked the oracle with WATER GARDEN, who ran out a ready winner when upped in trip at Wincanton last time. The grey's dam won over 3m over fences so stamina shouldn't be an issue here and he's fancied to make the most of the weight he receives from progressive Ludlow winner Foxbridge and Taunton scorer Carrickmines, who is much more exposed. The consistent Sapphire Rouge has each-way claims but Grabtheglory may have too much weight, despite Josh Moore's claim, while Romulus D'Artaix has had plenty of chances to get off the mark. The well-bred Well Hello There won on his reappearance at Carlisle but ran a shocker behind Rossmore Lad at Chepstow next time and has something to prove now.
Grabtheglory (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Led, strongly challenged 3 out, headed next, rallied approaching last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Mister Dillon (10-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov.
Super Villan 4-1 (10-12) Led until 7th, chased winner until 3 out, no impression when regained 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 10, 20l behind Join Together (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Rossmore Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (11-2) In rear, effort before 3 out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 34l behind My Arch (11-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Romulus D'artaix (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 7th, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 23l behind Big Occasion (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Well Hello There (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th or 7th, headway after next, weakened approaching last, 7th of 13, 29l behind Rossmore Lad (11-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Foxbridge (IRE) 4-5fav (10-12) Held up, closed 8th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led before next, pushed out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gd in Nov beating Sohappyharry (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Carrickmines (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, hard driven next, switched left to challenge after last, ran on to lead closing stages, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd beating Spanish Cruise (11-4) by 4l, 13 ran.
Dusky Bob (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, hit 8th, ridden before 4 out, led narrowly when fell last, in a race won by Monsieur Jourdain (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Water Garden (FR) 5-4fav (11-4) Held up in last pair, headway on inside to 4th after 3 out, went 2nd and travelling well when left in lead 2 out, soon clear, heavily eased flat, won at Wincanton 2m 6f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-105) (3yo+) (4) gs beating Kavegirl (10-9) by 18l, 10 ran.
Minella Bliss (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 32l behind Gunna Be A Devil (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Sapphire Rouge (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leadrs, went 2nd after 7th until 4 out, prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Lord Crewe (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Caulfields Venture (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Led until approaching 3rd, with leader, led 3 out, headed approaching last, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 10l behind Ballyclough (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH Maiden Hurdle (4-6yo) (5) gd in Nov.
Stormhoek (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Keen held up in touch, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Kaybeew (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
El Distintivo (ARG) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, ridden and effort approaching 9th, weakened before last, 11th of 17, 32l behind Themilanhorse (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Sainglend 17-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 9th, close up when not fluent last, stayed on, 4th of 17, 4l behind Themilanhorse (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
Dalhaan (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 35l behind Financial Climate (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
